September 2023 Newsletter

[Alliance for Suicide Prevention]

September 2023 Newsletter   “It isn’t weak to ask for help. It’s like using a flashlight when you are lost in the dark.” -Unknown It's not goodbye, it's we'll see you later! Scott Smith- Outgoing Executive Director Scott has been the Executive Director of the Alliance for Suicide Prevention since 2019.  Scott, you have been a calm, confident leader who has gracefully steered the Alliance through significant changes and growth.  You have led with your heart and connection at your core within the Alliance and the community at large.  You have created an incredible culture at the Alliance and helped the Alliance become a leader in behavioral health in Larimer County.  We will do our best to uphold your legacy.  As Brene Brown shares, living an authentic life includes having a strong back, a soft front, and a wild heart. Scott, you are a beautiful example of all three.  We are so grateful for all you have given to ASP and to this community over the past four and a half years. We will miss you greatly, but we are excited for your next adventure in Durango. Thank you so much for everything, Scottman!   A message from Scott... I’ve had the extreme honor and privilege of working at the Alliance for Suicide Prevention for nearly 5 years. It has been an amazing experience getting to know everyone and collaborating on many successful initiatives. When I started, I was given a laptop, a password list, and a desk in a small one-room office located in the basement with a lone window. Since then, the Alliance has grown from a staff of 1.5 to a staff of 10. From reaching less than 3,000 people annually, to consistently reaching more than 9,000 annually. From having to scrimp and save to make it through the fiscal year, to becoming a fiscal sponsor for other organizations and writing grants for other causes. All of this growth would not have been possible without the relationships and collaborations with all of the great partners across Larimer County. I am fond of saying that suicide is a community problem, therefore it must be addressed by the whole community if we are to have an impact. Well, that is exactly what we have accomplished, together. From 2018 to 2022, Larimer County is the only county in Colorado that has consistently reduced its suicide rate every year (from 24 suicide deaths per 100,000 residents to 20 suicide deaths per 100,000 residents)! With that shared achievement, I truly feel like my job is done. From the day I started, I have been trying to work myself out of a job. Not just figuratively, but literally. Perhaps the best thing a leader can do is to mentor and promote the next wave of leaders, and then get out of the way. I’m so lucky that Rachel Olsen and Kim Moeller made that choice and action so very easy for me. Not only have both of them had successful careers in suicide prevention outside of ASP, but both of them have helped shape the organization into what it is today. I could not be more excited and confident for them to continue the trajectory of this amazing organization. I want to thank everyone who helped me and ASP over the last 5 years. It has been the greatest honor and privilege of my professional career to be at the helm of this dynamic non-profit, and I know that I am leaving it in even better hands.   My personal email is scsm...@gmail.com  in case you need to get in touch with me. If you need to find me in the next 6 months, your best bet is to look in the waters of Durango Hot Springs or on the slopes at Purgatory Ski Resort.   Sincerely, Scott Smith, MSW Ski Bum (he,him,his) San Juan Mountains, Durango Colorado   Scott's advice for leadership...  Take chances, nothing transformational ever comes from playing it safe. The worst thing that will happen will be a mistake, and mistakes are the best teachers.  “Know the rules well so you can break them effectively” -The Dalai Lama  Take care of yourself, no seriously! No one else will do it for you and it is a disservice to the communities you are trying to serve if you don’t.  Lead with relationships, everything else will fall in place if strong connection exists.  Culture eats strategy for breakfast. Spend less time on strategic plans and logic models and more time strengthening your team, the outcomes will always be better.  Calm the fuck down! Unless someone is dying, it can wait so take a deep breath and approach each task with wisdom and patience.  Don’t take yourself too seriously. It is a miracle that life even exists on our little planet, in our little solar system, in our small galaxy, in our infinite universe, so be grateful and easy on yourself.  Good leaders try to work themselves out of job, great leaders do.  Collaboration beats competition every time. Act like there is enough to go around and there probably will be.  Be weary of lists, shortcuts, and people who give advice on ways to be a leader. You already have everything you need, find your own way and believe in yourself.   Meet our new Executive Director  Kim Moeller-  Executive Director Kim Moeller, MA, LPC has been working in suicide prevention since 2013. She is a Mater QPR Trainer and has trained over 45,000 people in suicide prevention trainings. She is passionate about crisis response, postvention work, and community building. During her off time, Kim spends time backpacking, cooking, and hanging out with her family. Kim’s superpower is her ability to remain calm and clear-headed in a crisis.   A message from Kim... I am honored to be stepping in as ASP's Executive Director, surrounded by strong and talented staff. It has always been and remains my goal to help build an organization where staff's voices resonate through a holistic, whole-human approach. I hope that by fostering meaningful staff relationships we embrace a culture beyond the norm and exude an environment propelled by a dedicated staff that drives exponential growth, and community engagement in suicide prevention. I am dedicated to nurturing an authentic nonprofit that supports its employees as well as the community. Meet our new Deputy Director  Rachel Olsen -  Deputy Director Before becoming the Deputy Director for the Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County, Rachel was the Program Director for ASP from 2019-2023, and before that, she was the Imagine Zero Coalition Coordinator from 2017-2019. Prior to her work in suicide prevention, Rachel ran her own photography business for over a decade. Before that, she was a Professional Healthcare Representative for Pfizer as well as a Vail Ski Patroller and Backroads Bike Guide. Rachel returned to school at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with her Master of Applied Positive Psychology in 2021. When Rachel is not bringing her most adorable dogs (Ansel & Trixie) in for staff meetings or volunteering with HABIC and Caring Canines, she can be found galavanting in the mountains with her family. Rachel’s superpower is bringing people together and creating connections. Life Savers Gala- THANK YOU! A huge thank you to each and every one of you for attending the Lifesavers Gala! What a beautiful night of reflection, celebration, and shared healing. Our deepest gratitude goes to Paddy and Are for sharing their stories of loss. Your vulnerability helps us all be braver in our own healing.  Due to your tremendous support, the Alliance raised over $40,000, which will help ASP continue this vital work, and launch the Survivors Fund! But it's not over yet!! Please join Paddy Turner, "CSU's 4th down Quarterback," aka amazing punter, and match his $20 for 20. Check out Paddy's amazing message here and make a recurring donation of $20 for 20 here.  Upcoming Events  SAVE THE DATE : Sunday, October 15th, 2023, 11-4 Our 5th annual Teen Self-Care Fair will take place this year on October 15th, 2023, at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, with the goal of creating a space for youth to learn new coping skills and join the conversation around mental health and suicide prevention through experiential learning. This event is for youth (6th-12th grades) to explore new ways to practice self-care, including yoga, medieval longsword, art, aerial silks, qigong, and much more. They can also, enjoy music, therapy dogs, community resource booths, FREE food trucks, and giveaways!  Registration is not required but is much appreciated. Please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions about this event, please reach out to Rachel at rac...@imaginezerosuicide.org We have partnered with Millennium Tattoo for a Tattoo Fundraiser on Sunday, October 22nd from 10:00am - 4:00pm.  There will be multiple flash sheets with mental health related tattoos to choose from. They will range in price and all proceeds will be donated directly to ASP. Tattoo sign up is a must and it will be first come, first serve so be sure to stop by early in the day!  After you have singed up for the waitlist, you can stop by the food trucks next door, chat with ASP staff, get connected to resources, share your mental health journey, participate in remembrance activities to remember anyone that you have lost to suicide. Please note that ONLY the flash sheets will be available for this event. If you would like something different you will need to schedule a separate appointment.   Save the Date: International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, November 18th, 10-1230 More details coming soon!  If you have questions about this event, please reach out to Lorelai at gr...@suicideprevent.org Available Trainings Upcoming Groups for Adults Upcoming Groups for Teens Support is always available... The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline recently expanded to include a Spanish language text and chat function and specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.   If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to 988. You can CALL / TEXT / CHAT with a mental health professional 24/7/365. These services are free and confidential.  Copyright © 2023 Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 525 W Oak Street, Ste B10, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Want to change how you receive these emails? 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